Dominic Moore: Batman or Robin?

by Melissa Hashemian…

When life hands you lemons make lemonade—or better yet, when life hands you the possibility of greatness, take it in. Now, perhaps the word greatness is a little too much to illustrate Dominic Moore’s talents just yet, but the idea isn’t too far off.

Analysts and fans may have contradicting opinions regarding the 6′0″ centreman, but one thing’s for sure—there’s nothing wrong with a little Moore.
The 188-lb., Thornhill, Ontario, native was the New York Rangers’ third-round choice (95th overall) in 2000, and although not in the centre of popularityville, he still managed to make a name for himself.

He then went off to play for the Penguins and Wild next before winding up in Toronto in 2008. The Leafs claimed Moore off waivers from Minnesota that year, as he laced up his skates for the first time as a Maple Leaf on January 12, 2008, against the San Jose Sharks.His debut would turn into a permanent role on the Toronto roster, as the 28-year-old prepared for the ultimate opportunity to play for one of the most media-centred cities.

As a waiver pick-up from the Wild, Moore is having his best year yet with eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points. It’s nothing to boast about per say, but this forward has shown a lot of grit and determination in the games he’s played this season.

With half the season gone, Moore has registered more points in the ‘08-’09 season than he has gained in the last three years alone (19). Things have changed remarkably since coming to Toronto. Moore has shown confidence offensively and his puck-handling skills have improved significantly every game.

There has been an adequate development in his consistency on the ice, acquiring three points in his last four games and gaining an acceptable backbone when it comes to his play-making skills. Additionally, he has won 54.6 percent of his faceoffs, leading Toronto in that department.

I know there’s a possibility of a lot of hockey fans and experts not agreeing with me completly in terms of Moore’s aptitude, but I thought it would be nice to recognize his performances, along with the qualities he possesses and utilizes while playing the game of hockey.

Moore continues to play on the third line with Jason Blake, yet due to Jeremy Williams’ shoulder injury, Wilson seems to be juggling that line with a variety of different players.

Luckily Williams’ injury is day-to-day, thus, fans can hopefully expect a return within the next few weeks or so. The chemistry between these three forwards was phenomenal, as they all contributed offensively on and off the power play.However, I find a small type of interruption in Moore’s performance lately. This type of interruption I like to call “time cut-back,” and it’s exactly what is happening in Moore’s case.

As of right now, Moore averages 18 minutes of ice time every game. It seems like a lot, but his shifts aren’t for very long. He’s very good at draws, so I find that to be one of the main reasons he’s getting the extra ice time. He has almost tied his career high in goals (nine), and it’s only his fourth full year in the NHL. Expect double the production with double the ice time from this player. He is full of potential, but just needs a little push to show all of it.

I can’t say he’s the leader Batman was in his community. However the role of Robin will suffice, as he proves more and more everyday that it’s okay to be the serviceable sidekick.

Takin’ a T/O With BT: Is “Old School” Hockey in The Toronto Maple Leafs Future?

by Bryan Thiel…

It wasn’t pretty, dainty, soft, cute, or cushy, but boy was it fun to watch.

Many fans went in to the Toronto Maple Leafs/Montreal Canadiens game with the expectation that the Leafs would seek a bit of revenge on the fight card against Tom Kostopolous’ hit on Mike Van Ryn earlier in the season, as well as be able to keep the game close with Jaroslav Halak between the pipes for the Habs in place of Carey Price.

Sure Jamal Mayers got payback on Kostopolous midway through the second period, but there was something else.

82 penalty minutes and a 6-2 loss later, there was a different sequence of events that had Leafs fans abuzz.

Mikhail Grabovski and, to a lesser extent, Brad May.

For the first time this season, we finally saw some real fire from the pint-sized European

We had seen talent, comittment, and some two-way ability from the former Hab, but never anything like this.

Grabovski earned himself two ten-minute misconducts, a game misconduct, he nearly fought Sergei Kostitsyn, and left Montreal fans with something to stew about as well as the NHL Head Office with something to keep an eye on with a slight shove and a bit of a snow plow.

While I will never condone any sort of unnecessary contact with an official (being an umpire, having an angry player touch you is unsettling as you don’t know what they’ll do), but even if Grabovski was suspended for that, I’d still be impressed by the fire and the spunk Grabovski showed in the loss.

To be honest, seeing that kind of passion was nice.

But in watching the highlights of Grabovski’s last “hoo-rah” in Montreal, it’s the newest Leaf that I was impressed with.

Yup, in an old-time game it was old-time acquisition Brad May that made the biggest difference.

Let’s face it, when the “May for a draft pick” trade was announced, many thought that John Ferguson Jr. was back in charge of the team and that the “rebuilding” process was on hiatus as Brian Burke was swapping draft picks for pending free agents.

But look at everything May did: He brought an attitude to the team in just one game, he had an outstanding fight in which he demonstrated some excellent footwork and the ability to switch hands on the fly, and (whether Grabovski understood or not) he was yelling something at Grabovski during his “incident”.

Whether it was advice or encouragment, May was showing the attitude that this team needs to have: Communicate with each other, support each other, and teach.

If May can somehow convince Grabovski to bring that intensity to each and every game with him—maybe not to the ejection and potential suspension degree—then the Leafs have a scoring threat who’ll be able to stand up for himself (A tough European? Don Cherry could go on for hours on Hockey Night in Canada with that…).

Sidenote: If any of you watched the Sportsnet post game show, then I want to talk about Nick Kypreos’ comments for a second.

In short, he’s right.

Grabovski does need to learn to bring that fire each and every night, not just against his former team. If he can do that, he’ll be a truly dangerous player in this league.

If May can show Andre Deveaux how to properly fight, using footwork and coordination, then the Leafs won’t only have a skilled fighter for the next three months, but for years to come as well.

Even if May can show some of the guys on the roster that it’s ok to get your nose dirty once in a while and not leave everything to the “tough guys”, then he’ll have done some good.

As it stands right now, the Leafs as a team, were an uninspired, quiet, pushover team before May arrived.

Akin to when Robin Williams’ helicopter landed in Good Morning Vietnam, the Leafs have a new lease on life. Whether they win or not, there’s a sense of excitement in the team. They’re willing to fight now, and whether May is only around for half-a-season or 2009/10 as well, they may not win much but at least he’ll help them be unified and he’s re-energized the troops.

And maybe if Mikhail Grabovski and Andre Deveaux can be the Bahamian and European installments of Forrest Whittaker, then May’s lessons may not be forgotten long after he’s gone.

And if not, it was worth the shot.

Giving up the draft pick still stings, but the likelihood of finding a Pavel Datsyuk or a Henrik Zetterberg for the Leafs that late in the draft is low.

Agree or disagree with the acquisition though, at least it gives you something fun to watch over the next little while.

Besides, if the young guys on this team are still good students, May’s lessons to the roster could pay his price in spades.

Looks like we’re in for a fight-filled few months Leafs fans. See? Losing can be fun!

Toronto Maple Leafs’ Best Paid Players Lack Essential Character

by Mark Makuch…

We all knew this was going to be a tough season, but not for this reason.

Little did we know that the Leafs would actually be able to put the puck in the net.

Little did we know that the team could dominate games with terrific team speed.

Little did we know that players like Stajan and Moore could have career seasons, and that Grabovski and Schenn would emerge better than advertised.

Little did we know that it would be character that is the missing ingredient to the Leafs success.

Character, that intangible thing that enables players to motivate each other to play at just a slightly higher level than their opponents.

We’ve seen it—when the Leafs are motivated in the right way, they win races to the puck, win the battles on the boards, cause turnovers, generate tremendous numbers of scoring chances, and believe it or not, win games.

And for some reason, these Leafs don’t have what it takes to get motivated to play this way every night.

The problem facing Coach Wilson is that the players that should have this kind of character—the ones who have tasted some kind of success—simply don’t have it.

Kubina, winner of a Stanley Cup; Kaberle, regular All-Star; Blake, former 40-goal man—they simply don’t have it in their nature to inspire their teammates.

The rest are too young and inexperienced (Grabovski, Schenn) or have too long played for a losing team (Poni, Antropov, Stajan) to have it in them either.

This team has no Gary Roberts who can stand up in the dressing room and say what is needed to be said, and then lead by example. Blake, while showing signs of life in his own play, is not the answer.

Burke has brought in Brad May to start to rectify this situation—but as he himself admits, its a baby step. its the top-dollar players that need to bring more than skill to a team, and Burke’s next order of business will be to engineer trades for Kaberle, Kubina and Blake—the three best-paid players on the team.

Fortunately, there is no panic. Burke can wait for the right offer. And you know there will be some juicy offers for Kaberle as the trade deadline nears.

Another piece of good news is that the Leafs have some excellent building blocks in Schenn, Grabovski, Hagman, and Stajan. Antropov and Ponikarovski are proving their worth. Moore is a keeper. Finger, Van Ryn, Frogren, and White are solid.

And finally, its important to remember that character is the hardest ingredient to find. It is completely intangible. Sometimes it has more to do with how a certain group of players respond to one another.

Sometimes it emerges as part of a player’s maturation process. You’ve got to think that its there in Schenn just waiting to bust out as he gains experience.

Burke and Wilson seem to understand this. Wilson has deftly pushed the right buttons with players to see what kind of character he’s got on his team.

And really, with half the season done, the results are in.

Kaberle, Kubina, and Blake, while skilled, do not bring the extra dimension that their paychecks demand.

The Rock

by Murray Crawford… Were it not for Lacrosse, Toronto sports fans would have been in for another long winter. The Leafs may be exceeding expectations, but even at their best they are a tenth ranked team. The Raptors came into the year with high hopes, which were quickly dashed, when the season started slow and Sam Mitchell was shown the door.

But all is not lost. The Toronto Rock started their season off in much better fashion than they’re fellow ACC inhabitants. The loss to the Buffalo Bandits isn’t indicative of the season ahead. The Rock are a team with both a history of success and the tools to do so again. The game against Buffalo was a close one, 8 – 6, and the New York opener was even closer, 15 – 14. But one thing is clear the talent that brought five championships to Hogtown is still around.

Sure the Sandersons, Phil and Josh, are gone, but they were weasels on the floor. Stronger players have gone in to take their place, Josh Wasson and Jason Crosbie for example. Of course Blaine Manning returns again, and the offense will be dependant on his success, as it was in the win against New York. Manning was the player of the week for the first week of the season, with seven points in the win.

One of the biggest keys from the glory days is still around. Goalie Bob Watson may be a little long in the tooth, but he has seen a lot of action. He was the goaltender of the year last year, and if he can keep his play at that level he has a real chance of leading the Rock to some playoff success, perhaps even a championship appearance. The only difference between the Watson of old and the older Watson is his tendency to go after the loose ball. When the Rock were winning championships Watson was picking up 100+ loose balls a game.

The Rock also benefit from injuries this year. Long time rival, Rochester Knighthawks, will be without two of their offensive powers. Scott Evans is done for the year with a shoulder injury and the best player in the game, Jon Grant Jr., is also still rehabilitating a knee injury that kept him out of the Major Series Lacrosse final. The Knighthawks have been the team that has knocked the Rock out of the playoffs for their past two appearances. Last year the Rock did not qualify for the playoffs.

Of course the other factor in the Rock’s tumble towards mediocrity is the loss of head coach Les Bartley. Since his death the Rock have not won a championship. Current head coach Glenn Clark coaches the same way he played, with passion and emotion. Such hotheaded affinities lead to his suspension at the start of last season. If he’s learned his lesson and cooled down he can demonstrate what kind of coach he really is.

When the Rock were winning championships there was one thing that defined them as a team, tough, punishing defense. They always had offensive talent but it was their defensive ability to make a stop, kill a penalty, run a shot clock down and create turnovers is what lead them to the Promised Land. Old stalwart Colin Doyle may have been key, but he is getting older. Watson may be the be all and end all of the defense but if it not for the tireless efforts of Chris Driscoll, Cam Woods and Dan Ladouceur the Rock would be in a much worse situation.

A return to glory may be something in the very near future for the Toronto Rock. They have been building a solid base and, after struggling for a few years, have some tools to compete at a higher level. Which is something very few teams in Toronto can currently boast. So while the Leafs are losing again, give the Rock a shot.

NBA Community Power Rankings (Jan. 12): Cleveland Cavaliers Rise to the Top

by Ryan Callahan…

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (89 points)—The Cavs captured two first place votes and one second place vote to claim the top spot. LeBron James continues to put up MVP quality numbers as this team ascends to the top of the East.

2. Los Angeles Lakers (88 points)—The Lakers captured the other first place vote and two second place votes. Kobe Bryant and the Lakers have gone 9-1 in their last 10 games to improve their record to 30-6 and are the class of the West.

3. Orlando Magic (84 points)—The Magic received all three third place votes. Orlando recently beat the Spurs and have a test against the Los Angeles Lakers coming up on the schedule.

4. Boston Celtics (81 points)—The Celtics received all three fourth place votes. The Toronto Raptors appear to be the perfect solution to cure a slump, as two straight wins over the Raptors get the Celtics back on track.

5. San Antonio Spurs (78 points)—The Spurs captured all three fifth place votes. They have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games but are coming off a tough loss to Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic.

6. Denver Nuggets (74 points)—The Nuggets received to sixth place votes and one seventh place vote. The Chauncey Billups trade has proved to be a good move for the Nuggets, but they will need to play more consistently if they want to have a shot at the title.

7. New Orleans Hornets (72 points)—The Hornets got a sixth, a seventh, and an eight place vote. The Hornets have gone just 6-4 in their last 10 games, but with Chris Paul around they are never far from the top.

8t. Phoenix Suns (67 points)—The Suns were ranked as high as seventh, and as a low as 10th. Shaq is has been playing great basketball as of late.

8t. Detroit Pistons (67 points)—Detroit received two ninth place votes and an eight place vote. The Pistons are all healthy now and have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games.

10t. Portland Trailblazers (60 points)—Brandon Roy has played well, but the rest of the team will need to step up if they want to make noise in the West.

10t. Atlanta Hawks (60 points)—The Al Horford-less Hawks suffered a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and are just 6-4 in their last 10 games.

12. Utah Jazz (58 points)—Andrei Kirilenko is coming off the bench this season and is posting some of his best number’s of his career. He should get serious Sixth Man Award consideration.

13. Dallas Mavericks (57 points)—The Mavericks will try not to be the dreaded ninth seed out West.

14t. Houston Rockets (49 points)—T-Mac is not having his best year for the Rockets.

14t. Miami Heat (49 points)—Dwayne Wade leads the NBA in scoring, but needs some help from his teammates.

16. New Jersey Nets (46 points)—Devin Harris has propped this team on his back and will carry them into the playoffs.

17. Philadelphia 76ers (42 points)—The Sixers have built up a little four-game win streak after a dismal six-game road trip. Andre Iguodala has finally started playing as well he is capable of.

18. Milwaukee Bucks (40 points)—Michael Redd and the Bucks have played well and look to return to the playoffs this season.

19. Charlotte Bobcats (32 points)—D.J. Augustin has played well in the early going for the Bobcats.

20t. Chicago Bulls (31 points)—Derrick Rose has played extremely well and will battle for the Rookie of the Year award with O.J. Mayo.

20t. Toronto Raptors (31 points)—The Jermaine O’Neal signing did not work out as expected for Canada’s team.

22. Indiana Pacers (30 points)—Danny Granger has emerged as a star for the Pacers. But injuries have hurt them and they have not been able to win many games.

23. Minnesota Timberwolves (22 points)—Will Wolves fans ever forgive management for the Kevin Love-O.J. Mayo trade?

24. Memphis Grizzles (21 points)—O.J. Mayo has been the best rookie so far this season.

25. New York Knicks (18 points)—There are thousands of trade rumors swirling around this team and Stephon Marbury remains with the team. Is David Lee the next one out of town?

26. Golden State Warriors (17 points)—The Warriors miss Baron Davis. A lot.

27. Sacramento Kings (11 points)—Kevin Martin is another player who deserves consideration for Most Improved Player. Rookie Jason Thompson started off strong but has since leveled off.

28. Washington Wizards (10 points)—Reports now say that Agent 0 will miss the remainder of the season.

29. Los Angeles Clippers (8 points)—The Clippers ruined the one thing they had, cap space, by signing Marcus Camby and Baron Davis.

30. Oklahoma City Thunder (3 points)—Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, and Russell Westbrook is a good nucleus for the future. But it hasn’t led for wins right now.

Larry Holmes Vs. Ken Norton: That ’70s Show!

by Stoker dafire…

This is the story of a murderous assassin, who—during the late ’70s and early ’80s—ruled boxing’s heavyweight division with an iron left jab.

This great assassin won his first 48 straight bouts, beating, among others, Norton, Shavers, Witherspoon, Cooney, Smith, and even the greatest heavyweight of all time, Muhammad Ali.

Of course, the assassin I’m speaking of has never killed anyone, but does possess a lethal left-hand weapon with unlimited capabilities. He is none other than the great Easton Assassin Larry Holmes.

Larry Holmes became champion in 1978 by beating Earnie Shavers, and he held and defended two versions of the heavyweight title (IBF and WBC) for seven straight years.

In fact, until he lost to Michael Spinks in 1985, he successfully defended his title 20 times, which is second only to the great Brown Bomber Joe Louis Barrow. He also came one win short of matching the record of the great Rocky Marciano, who retired undefeated at 49 wins in 49 fights.

When the Easton Assassin started his career, in the early to mid-1970s, Holmes was a sparring partner for the greatest heavyweight champion of all time, Muhammad Ali, whose training camp at that time was in a remote and beautiful part of Pennsylvania called Schuylkill County.

In 1978 Larry Holmes gave up his job as Ali’s background singer. He decided to grab the mic and become a frontman. Putting on a punching clinic, he then schooled hard-hitting Earnie Shavers for 12 straight rounds.

Larry Holmes had worked hard, trained hard, and was 6′3″ tall and solidly built. His impressive win over Earnie Shavers awarded him a well-deserved title shot against the champ Kenny Norton in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 9, 1978.

The Easton Assassin and Kenny Norton fought a boxing match that was as close to even as any fight on record, except for the 15th final round, which is cited by boxing experts and historians—like myself—as one of the greatest rounds in the long history of Boxing.

This fight was a real ’70s show, and not one but both of these heavyweight titans displayed a master class. They traded shots in the center of the ring, and not just single shots—I’m talking about uppercuts, three-punch combinations, and mouthpiece-launching hooks. At the end of this great fight Larry Holmes was fittingly awarded as the “new” heavyweight champion of the world.

When the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time stepped into the ring to face his old sparring partner in October of 1980, it was an emotional event for boxing fans the world over.

Muhammad Ali was long past his prime and making yet another of his—one too many—trips to the ring to try to win back his Heavyweight belt. This time it was against a true friend.

Although he wasn’t proud of the fact, Holmes gave Ali the only TKO loss of his career, and he dominated the fight until Ali’s trainer, Dundee, threw in the towel after the 10th round.

Parkinson’s disease had already started to tighten its grip on the old warrior, and it is said that the great Ali had started taking strong medications to ward off signs of this life-altering disease.

Larry Holmes is another example of a fighter who tried to make many comebacks and fought long after the sport he loved had turned its back on him. He took fights against younger, faster heavyweights and eventually lost his title in 1985 to Michael Spinks, and then lost to another young phenom, knockout specialist Mike Tyson, in 1986.

Holmes didn’t stop there. He still wanted to fight the best and took on Evander Holyfield and Ray Mercer losing to both in 1992. He finally retired at the age of 52 after defeating a Boxing Clown named “Butterbean.”

The great Easton Assassin was inducted into the boxing hall of fame in 2008. He is in my opinion No. 6 on the list of greatest heavyweights of all time.

Muhammad Ali could take a very good punch. He was slick, he could move, he could hit, make you miss, good hand speed and combinations the greatest fighter of all time in my opinion.  - Larry Holmes

Add HIM to the discussion

by Joshua Murray…

Paul Haywood got me thinking the other day, and for that I say thank you Mr. Haywood.  The thoughts started coming after I read his Doc or Dave article.  And while I’m not sure that the article made me think of things that he was hoping me it would, it made me think none the less. While I do hold Roy Halladay in the highest of regards.  And I was in the building for his 22nd victory in his Cy Young winning season of 2003, this post will not be making mention of him moving forward.

Who I would like to touch on is my all time favourite Blue Jays pitcher.  A man that I always felt an afinity for and connection to due to my left handedness.  I also liked the fact that he was a quiet guy, a guy who went about his business and did the best job that he could.  And I was the happiest kid in Canada when in 1992 he was the winning pitcher in 2 games of the World Series over the Atlanta Braves.  In game 4 he started and gave up only 1 run in 7 2/3 innings.  And then in game 6 the clinching game of the series, in a move that made Randy Johnson a World Series legend, he came into the game to pitch the 10th and 11th innings to earn another victory.

Jimmy Key.

Jimmy Key was drafted in 1982 and 2 years later made his Major League debut.  Even now, with more teams and more pitchers on more rosters, it’s a story when a pitcher makes that kind of leap. He was part of the first Blue Jays team ever to make the post season in 1985.  Was there still in 1989, 1991 and finally got his ring in 1992 when the Toronto Blue Jays legend Dave Stieb was barely still in uniform.

And while I know that part of being a legend is spending your entire career with one team, Jimmy Key did move on to the New York Yankees.  Now, this isn’t the same as A.J. Burnett moving to the Yankees now.  In 1993 the Yankees were not the Beast of the East, Toronto was. I was only 10 years old in 1992, but I can remember fondly the slight tip of the cap that Jimmy Key gave as he left the mound in Game 4 of the World Series.  Looking back at it now, it almost seemed like a goodbye.

And while I know that hometown fans are always higher on their own guys when it comes to looking back I’m not going to try to tell you that Jimmy Key should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame.  All I want to say is that when arguments are being made about Blue Jays pitchers in history and what they’ve contributed and accomplished, Jimmy Key should be in those conversations.

Transfer Rumors & Realities: Michael Owen To Manchester City!

by Zahi Sahli…

Yes, it’s Micheal Owen, and he’s on the move again.

The Mirror claims Michael Owen has agreed in principle to join Manchester City in the summer for around £90,000-a-week. This means that City will get Owen for free. Doesn’t this go against their new billions-backed policy?

It’s quite disappointing to hear that City have not spent big still. But wipe your tears kids, City will make yet another “final offer” for Roque Santa Cruz that may include swapping the Paraguayan striker for City’s Daniel Sturridge.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola has been told he will have to sell his star players and rebuild his squad from scratch in the summer. Good luck scouting the Serie A, Gianfranco!

Manchester City have failed in their £14m bid to sign Marseille’s left-sided player Taye Taiwo. Come on guys, is 14 million all you got? How about offering a billion for the guy?

Wigan striker Emile Heskey is set to rejoin Liverpool in the summer. Those free transfers are ruining the January action, aren’t they?

Liverpool still want to get their hands on Glen Johnson.

Johnson may have signed a four-year contract with Portsmouth this week but a £10m minimum-release clause could see him depart for Liverpool in the summer.

Former Rangers winger Peter Lovenkrands is set to join Newcastle, following his release from Schalke 04. Another free deal…

Nancy striker Marc-Antoine Fortune says he wants to move to West Brom, who had a £2.2m bid turned down for the player this week.

Bolton have pulled out of their attempt to sign West Ham defender Calum Davenport, after landing Zenit St Petersburg’s Sebastien Puygrenier on loan instead according to The Mirror.

John Arne Riise is fed up of warming the benches in Rome and wants a move back to The Premier League with Newcastle being the favorites to land him.

Riise is likely to move to Newcastle-unless Manchester City are interested off course!

West Brom are interested Udinese’s Christian Obodo. The club’s scouts will watch the Nigerian in action for the second time in Serie A on Sunday. Why scouts can’t use the TV to scout is beyond R-R. They can also use Football Manager’s database.

Finally, City are planning to pair little Owen with little Craig Bellamy starting next season. But Bellamy will move to the blue side of Manchester this month.

Butler Rocks; Boston College Dethroned - Harvard is # 1

by Mike Henderson…
Mid Majors Rule
It is a testament to solid structure and coaching that schools like Butler can maintain the consistency it has, especially in a year where they are replacing 90 percent of their scoring. Their only misstep was a three point loss at Ohio State (when the Buckeyes were at full strength) and their victims include UAB, and road wins at Xavier and pre-season Horizon league favourite, Cleveland State. I love the fact that players who go into these types of situations actually look like they want to be there. And I love the fact that no matter who the opponent is the game will be competitive, despite the obvious recruiting edge held by schools in the larger conferences.

Respect Can Be Fickle
After mere hours as the unofficial people’s champion of college hoops, Boston College has tendered its official resignation. For weeks (actually the whole season) of being neglected in the rankings, the Eagles soared as high as #17 in some polls (that were apparently conducted in the Florida region). However, though no specific details were given, it seems that the basketball team was so incensed by the firing of football coach Jeff Jagodzinski  that, in blatant protest, it lost to Harvard. There is no question that the Crimson devised a very intelligent game plan to foil the Eagles after the latter’s big win over North Carolina. B.C. players admitted after the game that they were, in fact, beguiled and tricked by Harvard’s passing and shooting. One player was overheard remarking how neatly each Harvard player wore his uniform, and, that they were hardly sweaty at all after the game. The Crimson has since furthered their court dominance with a convincing 63-62 win over Dartmouth (now 2-11 on the season). Bandwagons continue to crash and burn.

Harvard is No. 1
Using ESPN analyst Jay Bilas’ logic, wherein long words with ambiguous, complicated meanings were uttered, Harvard Crimson is the number one team in NCCA basketball. Boston College beat North Carolina, who at the time was ranked # 1. Harvard, in turn, beat Boston College the very next time out, which if only for a few days, makes them the best. I couldn’t agree more. A contingency poll should have been conducted immediately to allow Harvard their rightful place at the top. At least for a day. What Tommy Amaker couldn’t seem to do at Michigan (win the big game - sorry, I’m not counting the NIT), he did in his second year with the Crimson. Let him bask in the spotlight and look down at the Boeheims and Calhouns for just a little while. By the way, I’m sure Bilas was being as facetious as I am.

Around the Rim: Francis-Cedric Martel, a freshman from Montreal, is averaging about 11 minutes per game for the Richmond Spiders, contributing 3 points and 3 rebounds per game. Jamie Vanderbeken of Belleville, a junior for the Iowa State Cyclones, averages 4 points, 3 rebounds and one block for the season.

Have to Watch:
Monday - Notre Dame vs. Louisville  - Harangody is worth watching all on his own.
Texas vs. Oklahoma - early, and only, clash of the Big 12 titans
Wednesday -Syracuse vs. Georgetown - The Hoyas will find their range against the
Orange
Saturday - Georgetown vs. Duke, Arizona St. vs. UCLA,
Wake Forest vs. Clemson - both could still be unbeaten